Abstract

The risk of aspiration of gastric contents in the perioperative period constitutes a serious clinical problem and it is connected with increased mortality. At present, the risk of aspiration is assessed only on the basis of an interview and information obtained from the patient. Such assessment is not always reliable while the concomitance of some additional factors influencing the delay of gastric emptying significantly decreases its sensitivity. Using bedside ultrasound imaging in an assessment of gastric contents is a method which supports an objective, simple and quick assessment of the risk of aspiration, helps one to optimise perioperative anaesthetic management, and should constitute a routine element of the perioperative patient assessment.

Abstract

The risk of aspiration of gastric contents in the perioperative period constitutes a serious clinical problem and it is connected with increased mortality. At present, the risk of aspiration is assessed only on the basis of an interview and information obtained from the patient. Such assessment is not always reliable while the concomitance of some additional factors influencing the delay of gastric emptying significantly decreases its sensitivity. Using bedside ultrasound imaging in an assessment of gastric contents is a method which supports an objective, simple and quick assessment of the risk of aspiration, helps one to optimise perioperative anaesthetic management, and should constitute a routine element of the perioperative patient assessment.

Practice guidelines for preoperative fasting and the use of pharmacologic agents to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration: application to healthy patients undergoing elective procedures: an updated report by the American Society of Anesthesiologists task force on preoperative fasting and the use of pharmacologic agents to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration. Anesthesiology. 2017; 126(3): 376–393.

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